Crossing the Jordan
February 13, 2023
Commentary
In our passage today we see the results of persistence. It must have been an exciting day for the Israelites to finally see what had been promised to them through their father’s generations before. Finally, the day had come when Joshua, with the help of God, was going to lead them into the Promised Land. They had been waiting for this day for a long, long time. God had told Joshua to go across the river into the land, but how were they going to cross. It was a wide river and there were no bridges or boats, and it was too deep to walk through. Most of them had heard of the miracle at the Red Sea, however most of them had been born in the wilderness so only knew what others had told them. The task seemed impossible, but the battle was the Lord’s and that is what is being taught.
1. The preparations needed for crossing (vv. 1-6). To experience God’s power, we need to prepare our hearts and deal with known sin in our lives which comes through confession. “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you” (v. 5).
2. The promise of passage through the Jordan (vv. 7-13). God directed the 12 priests to lead the way, carrying the ark of the covenant into the Jordan (vv. 12-13). God Himself, went before them. When we step out for God, we can be sure that God will go before us.
3. The power of God demonstrated in the passage (vv. 14-17). As the people watched, the waters separated and stopped flowing so the priests could walk on dry ground out to the center of the river. Then they stood holding the ark high until all the people passed over.
Application
Joshua had two companions: the Word of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. I can also have these two companions. If I am persistent like Joshua, then I can see the power of God demonstrated in my life.
Joshua 3:1– 17 (NET)
1 Bright and early the next morning Joshua and the Israelites left Shittim and came to the Jordan. They camped there before crossing the river. 2 After three days the leaders went through the camp 3 and commanded the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God being carried by the Levitical priests, you must leave here and walk behind it. 4 But stay about 3,000 feet behind it. Keep your distance so you can see which way you should go, for you have not traveled this way before.”
5 Joshua told the people, “Ritually consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will perform miraculous deeds among you.” 6 Joshua told the priests, “Pick up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they picked up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.
7 The Lord told Joshua, “This very day I will begin to honor you before all Israel, so they will know that I am with you just as I was with Moses. 8 Instruct the priests carrying the ark of the covenant, ‘When you reach the bank of the Jordan River, wade into the water.’”
9 Joshua told the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God!” 10 Joshua continued, “This is how you will know the living God is among you and that he will truly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites. 11 Look! The ark of the covenant of the Lord of the whole earth is ready to enter the Jordan ahead of you. 12 Now select for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one per tribe. 13 When the feet of the priests carrying the ark of the Lord, the Lord of the whole earth, touch the water of the Jordan, the water coming downstream toward you will stop flowing and pile up.”
14 So when the people left their tents to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 When the ones carrying the ark reached the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark touched the surface of the water—(the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest time) — 16 the water coming downstream toward them stopped flowing. It piled up far upstream at Adam (the city near Zarethan); there was no water at all flowing to the sea of the rift valley (the Salt Sea). The people crossed the river opposite Jericho. 17 The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan. All Israel crossed over on dry ground until the entire nation was on the other side.